What is Carboxymethyl cellulose?
(CMC)Carboxymethyl cellulose is also also known as cellulose gum. It is an anionic, water soluble cellulose derivative in the form of sodium salt. It is a cellulose derivative that makes up the cellulose backbone when the carboxymethyl group bounds to a number of hydroxyl groups of glucopyranose monomers.
Formation of CMC
Carboxymethyl is formed by reacting cellulose with a derivative of acetic water. After the dispersion of cellulose in alkali which is followed by the treatment with monochloroacetic acid to substitute hydroxyl groups of glucose
Uses of CMC
- It is commonly used salt
- It is used as a bulk laxative
- Used as an emulsifier
- Used as a thickener in cosmetics and pharmaceuticals
- It is used as a stabilizer for reagents
- Widely used to absorb and hold water in food products
- Used to control crystal growth in food products
- Increases shelf life and provides desired texture to food.
- It is used to prepare dry pet food.
- Used in beverages to provide a rich mouthfeel
- Used in acidified protein drinks to prevent it from precipitating and to help stabilize
- Used in toothpaste for fine and smooth effects.
- Used on ice packs to form a eutectic mixture that leads to a lower freezing point which results in more cooling capacity than ice.
- Used as an electrode binder in batteries.
- CMC is used to prevent the formation of bowel adhesions in large animals, particularly horses in abdominal surgeries.
Properties of CMC
- High viscosity
- Non toxic
- Non allergenic
- Enables water binding
- Removes moisture
- Good biodegradability
- Highly soluble
Safety of CMC
Since CMC is nontoxic and non allergenic it is not harmful and has no toxic effects. It is considered to be safe for the environment.
It is both safe for human and animal consumption, but if it is consumed in larger amounts the risk of digestive problems can increase and there may be a chance of colon cancer.
Chemical data
Pub chem CID(Criminal Investigation Command) is 23706213
The molecular formula of CMC is C8H15NaO8
The molecular weight of CMC is 262.19
No comment